Thursday, September 15, 2011

on grace

"And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17 ESV)

"Friends, you can't begin to understand the gospel or the Bible if you don't know the meaning of 'grace'. ... If 'glory' means the 'outward shining of the inward being of God', grace is the 'free and unmerited favor of God.' In one word grace is generosity. The grace of God is the generosity of God. Grace is God's gracious kindness to the undeserving. Grace is God taking the initiative, God coming to our rescue, pursuing us even to the cross. Grace is God stooping, God loving, God serving, God lifting, God taking the initiative. Grace, like glory, is seen most vividly at the cross."